TALLAHASSEE, Fla.  Governor Ron DeSantis announced that more than $35 million in funding from the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program will be allocated to Florida school districts and Florida College System institutions to create or expand semiconductor-related instructional programs for students. Because of the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida is already #5 in the US for semiconductor manufacturing jobs and #3 in the nation for semiconductor establishments. This investment will help cultivate a highly skilled workforce, which is integral to sustaining Florida’s growing semiconductor industry.

“By providing workforce education in our classrooms, students learn skills they can use to obtain high-paying jobs in growing industries like semiconductor manufacturing,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This investment continues our commitment to making Florida number one for workforce education and positioning our state at the forefront of innovation.”  Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis awarded $20 million through the Biscayne Bay Water Quality Improvement Grant Program to strengthen ongoing efforts to restore water quality in the bay. Since 2019, the state of Florida has invested more than $70 million for targeted water quality projects in Biscayne Bay. To ensure restoration efforts continue, Governor DeSantis has again included $20 million for Biscayne Bay in his Focus on Florida’s Future budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2024-25.

“The Biscayne Bay is a hub for sport and commercial fishing and tourism,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Our comprehensive approach to addressing water quality statewide and our investments in targeted estuaries, such as the Biscayne Bay, Indian River Lagoon and the Caloosahatchee, will ensure Florida’s economic vitality and Floridians’ way of life for decades to come.” Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis highlighted the record-breaking success of his three-month Great Outdoors Initiative, providing 50% discounts on Gold Sportsman hunting and fishing licenses and Annual State Park Passes. First announced on October 14, 2023, the Great Outdoors Initiative encouraged Floridians to get outdoors and explore Florida’s natural resources by saving Florida families money. The discount lasted through January 13, 2024, and was the highest discount ever provided for these licenses and passes in Florida history. More than 75,000 Gold Sportsman licenses totaling $24 million and more than 55,000 state park passes totaling $2.86 million were sold during the initiative. More than 23,000 of the hunting and fishing licenses purchased were for first time license holders.

“Florida is the Fishing Capital of the World and is home to some of the best recreational lands in the country for Florida families to enjoy,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “The success of this initiative is impressive and I am happy to see so many families take advantage of these savings to enjoy our great outdoors.” Continue reading →

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Exposure to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is linked to cancer and other diseases. Unfortunately, these substances may have contaminated the water of several Florida military bases, putting service members and their families at risk.

Rep. Cammack joined U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Lloyd Austin, asking about PFAS remediation efforts at Florida’s military installations and clarifying the extent of the health impacts of PFAS exposure on service members and their families.

“Our service members, and their families, deserve full information on the health risks of PFAS, as well as a commitment by the DoD to mitigate any harm that may be caused by PFAS exposure on military installations. As such, we request a full accounting of the progress for PFAS remediation efforts on each of Florida’s military installations.”

GAINESVILLE, FL — Congresswoman Kat Cammack announced the City of Ocala received a $104,000 grant from the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program. The SS4A program funds regional, local, and tribal initiatives through grants to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries.

The City of Ocala will use the grant to conduct supplemental planning to develop a city-wide Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) and a Speed Management Plan targeting safer speeds in residential areas and around schools.

“I’m excited to see the City of Ocala making excellent use of this grant,” said Congresswoman Kat Cammack. “Safer roadways are important for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists in Ocala, ensuring everyone makes it to their destination and back home safely. I look forward to seeing the City’s thoughtful planning in action.”   Continue reading →

ALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody today sent a public records request to the Atlantic Coast Conference demanding the college athletics organization immediately turn over public records currently being withheld from Florida State University. Attorney General Moody is seeking the release of the conference’s “ESPN Agreement” and several other agreements, amendments and documents crucial to FSU’s legal battle to leave the ACC. The conference is refusing to turn over the documents—instead demanding that FSU officials travel to North Carolina to view the documents in secret and under ACC supervision.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “One of Florida’s top universities is facing the possibility of forfeiting more than half a billion dollars, and the ACC is refusing to hand over the agreements at the center of this astronomical financial penalty. They are unlawfully keeping these documents locked away in North Carolina. However, North Carolina and Florida state laws are clear that these agreements are public records and must be handed over immediately. Today, I am taking action to ensure FSU and the public are able to review these agreements.” Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—On National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, Attorney General Ashley Moody is announcing the addition of Tampa General Hospital to the 100 Percent Club. Attorney General Moody’s 100 Percent Club recognizes businesses who train employees to spot and report human trafficking. Tampa General Hospital is the first hospital to join the club. Studies have found that more than 88% of human trafficking victims come into contact with the health care system while being trafficked. Now, medical staff at TGH is trained and equipped to spot and report signs of trafficking.

TGH’s Clinical Education Department will also be placing informational signage around the hospital so visitors and trafficking victims in need of medical care know how to seek help. Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is warning Floridians about a rise in deaths nationwide from bromazolam, a potent benzodiazepine. The drug is gaining popularity throughout the country and is reportedly being mixed with illicit fentanyl. Benzodiazepines are depressant drugs that produce sedation and feelings of relaxation. According to the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education, bromazolam went from being present in only 1% of toxicology cases submitted to the National Medical Services Labs in 2021 to 13% in mid-2022. Side effects of bromazolam include loss of coordination, drowsiness, dizziness, respiratory depression, coma and death.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “It is imperative that Floridians understand how dangerous bromazolam is on its own. It is also reportedly mixed with fentanyl, leading to adverse health conditions, overdoses and even deaths—including here in Florida. Please, never use an illicit substance. Just one pill can kill.”  Continue reading →

Dear Neighbor,

While Congress was in recess this week, it was a big week for spending time in the district. I had several productive meetings and visits in Gainesville and Ocala this week, and I look forward to sharing more information and photos from those visits soon. You can take a look at our meeting with Hawthorne Mayor Jacquelyn Randall below.

In Marion County, our Director of Veterans and Military Services, Mr. Dave Hill, had the honor of presenting an American flag that had been flown over the United States Capitol to Colonel Craig Hamm. Colonel Hamm is the president of the Marion County Veterans Council and was recently inducted into the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame for his service to our state and nation.  Continue reading →

Attorney General Moody’s Week in Review – Jan. 26, 2024

This week, we announced that our Project Protect program is expanding to help survivors of human trafficking in Miami-Dade County.

According to the Safe House Project, 80% of trafficking victims are revictimized after finding freedom.

Project Protect aims to help survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence and sexual violence feel safer at home by providing them with free doorbell surveillance cameras.

These video cameras provide 24-hour audio and video surveillance for a residence, allowing victims to see if someone is at their door while they are away, or check who is at their door when they are home. Those in these tragic situations will have better assurance that they are safe in their own homes. Continue reading →